They rallied for equality

Focus was on progress in civil rights

By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff WriterPublished: October 9, 2012 4:00AM

WOOSTER -- The rainbow that emerged following Sunday's afternoon rain was not in the sky, but on the square downtown, where supporters gathered for the fourth annual Open the Door to Equality Rally, the theme of which was "Civil Rights for Everyone."

The rally was sponsored by Ohioans for Marriage Equality, a Wooster-based advocacy group for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights, and co-sponsored by PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)-Wooster, the Unitarian Universalist Social Action Committee and Spectrum, a College of Wooster student organization.

The rally was focused on progress in the struggle for civil rights, particularly gay rights, including the right to marry. It was held Sunday in conjunction with this week's observance of National Coming Out Week and Thursday's National Coming Out Day.

"We're here to celebrate our shared belief in equal rights for everyone, including LGBT individuals," said Bert Bishop, a member of Ohioans for Marriage Equality.

"This year we have much to celebrate. We have a presidential candidate from a major party who supports the rights of same-sex individuals," he said. "I envision an America where everyone has the same shot."

In addition to promoting the rights of an LGBT population, Bishop said, participants were gathered to support civil rights for everyone -- blacks, Hispanics, women, old, young, poor.

"As we are here to call for civil rights for LGBT, we raise our voice in support of others," he said.

The Rev. Andries Coetzee of Westminster Presbyterian Church called those in attendance to help those in the church better embrace the LGBT community. "God is on the side of love. I urge you to be on the side of God, on the side of love and support marriage equality for everybody."

Nevertheless, he said, "As Christians and Christian preachers, we don't have a lot of credibility with LGBT. We want you to confess your sins because you're gay. You don't have to confess your sin, because being gay is not a sin.

"What is sinful," he continued, is the disregard for the Biblical verse that tells Christians, "You shall love the Lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

"It is a sin to forget we are all created in the image of God," he said, noting nothing despised in one man is absent from one's own self.

"There are a growing number of people of faith committed to loving people of all orientations, and the Presbyterian Church is among those denominations working to affirm love between all."

"Some say gay marriage will destroy the sanctity of the institution," he said. "I think the heterosexuals have done a good enough job of that themselves."

He was followed by College of Wooster student Justin Kalinay, who shared his own coming out story.

He spoke of his family's concern, despite their support, because of fears of possible discrimination.

Representing the NAACP Youth Council, Juanita Greene expressed the support of her organization for the right of everyone to marry.

Citing the Declaration of Independence, she said, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

"These are words that are very important. They were written by men who were way before their time," she said, noting while many of those who signed the document owned slaves, "they saw the future."

She drew a parallel between the LGBT and African American communities. "At one time, we were excluded. We believe civil marriage is a civil right.

"We oppose any custom that denies rights to anyone. We support the right for people to have the freedom to marry, own property and, when their loved ones are sick, to be in the hospital and make decisions for them," she said.

"Individuals need to step up and take responsibility when they single out a group," she said. "We cannot have laws to exclude people just to include people."

Her analogy was supported by Jeff Miller of the Ohio ACLU, who said when the organization was formed in the 1920s "we fought for their rights."

Today they stand with the NAACP, alongside members of the LGBT community, and "together we fight for our rights and full rights to the LGBT community and those who can't marry."

He spoke of the ACLU's "long history of ending discrimination and the many accomplishments achieved over the years, including recognition of gay marriage in six states and the District of Columbia. He spoke of the obstacles, including the need to overturn Ohio's ban on gay marriage.

Miller focused on the need to implement tolerance in schools, providing education to staff and instituting effective policies on bullying and a means to lodge complaints.

Miller said even Martin Luther King saw a relationship between the two groups, according to his wife, Coretta Scott King, who in 1996 quoted him, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

"Don't think you can stand for the freedom of one people without standing for the freedom of all," he said.

He said Ohioans need to work together to overturn the state's ban on gay marriage and the rights of a joined couple. "I am convinced we will see marriage equality in my lifetime, but let's not kid ourselves. LGBT equity is not inevitable."

It will happen because of alliances, grass-roots campaigns, financing and a strong media campaign. He encouraged everyone to be an everyday advocate, talking to friends, neighbors, legislators and more, reminding them that "someone in your life is gay."

"Everyone is entitled to all rights and liberties, and we will only have a democracy when that day comes," he said.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at 330-674-5676 or by email at cpratt@the-daily-record.com.

Want to leave your comments?

I think it's unfair to paint all who oppose same sex marriage as evil and discriminatory sinners. I also think it's unfair to quote the bible on one part ("love thy neighbor") but not quote it on other parts that completely contradict your whole argument ("homosexual acts are an abomination to God"). I think it's both disgusting and dishonest to conduct an argument this way. Also, with love thy neighbor, what about murderers of your children? You can hate their act, acknowledge that it's a sin, still respect them(to a point) and then follow the bible on how to sentence them ("Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.") Hating evil and sinful acts does not show a lack of love for one another.
I think this argument is horribly unfair and rude, and not very "loving" by the very standards presented here; what it means to love thy neighbor(which further disparages me about this argument). I pray that no matter how righteous your agenda may seem to you that you stop cherry picking quotes from the bible to paint others as sinners, and start using the the bible as a unfaltering guide for your life.